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Whine?

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by Wideglide85, Oct 27, 2011.

  1. Wideglide85

    Wideglide85 Active Member

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    So what does an inner cam bearing on an Evo sound like when it's about to go south? I noticed a high-pitched whine coming from the engine (I think). It changes with RPM/engine load, but seems to go away when I hit 4th gear. (Maybe it's still there, and I just can't hear it at speed)
    It's hard to tell exactly where it's coming from when the bike's moving, and I don't notice it standing still or idling. At first I thought it was gear noise from the 27-year-old 4-speed. The bike has 72k on it, and I put the last 44k on the clock personally so I'm used to all the usual v-twin sounds. This one is new.
    Any ideas???
  2. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Does it do it not in gear?

    Sounds travel go to an auto parts store and get a cheap azz stethoscope
    under $10, move around the engine, heads, pushrods, cyl cam area
    check the primary, could be loose tensioner, etc.
  3. Wideglide85

    Wideglide85 Active Member

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    Thanks hrk, sounds like a good place to start.
  4. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    good advice.......i really thought this thread was gonna be bout' cardboard.....
  5. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    :roflmao::roflmao: he has one about a I phone
  6. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    I thought it was all about Cardboard :D:roflmao:
  7. Fatboy128

    Fatboy128 Well-Known Member

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    Oh Oooo, this forum may go south real fast.
    Gettin back to the "whine"... "goes away when you hit 4th..." maybe you already checked but it would seem to me the first place to look is the tranny. What else changed when in 4th? the cams are still spinning (slower, but spinning), crank, oil pump, primary, etc.
    Just saying
  8. Wideglide85

    Wideglide85 Active Member

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    Sounds like it's coming from farther forward than the trans, but it's hard to pin point. I haven't had time to check anything yet, but I'm thinkin' it sounds more like gear whine than anything. Hopefully I can get to it this weekend.
  9. prodrag1320

    prodrag1320 Active Member

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    if you have any thoght its comoing from cam area,dont ride it till you get to check the bearing,a small prob can turn into major ($$) work real quick in that area
  10. Wideglide85

    Wideglide85 Active Member

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    Got it narrowed down, I think. Drained the purple synthetic gear lube out of the trans and filled it back up with dino gear oil. Now it just whines in 3rd gear.
    I'm thinking about doing my top end this winter, so I might as well do a cam/cam bearing/lifters too. I'd rather spend money on this bike because I want to, not because I have to.
    Thanks guys!
  11. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    What weight gear oil was in it and in it now.
  12. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    Good question , I just changed the trans oil & it was thick took a few to drain it on my 94
  13. Wideglide85

    Wideglide85 Active Member

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    The synthetic was 75w140, the dino I put back in is 75w90. I've always used H-D Formula+ in the trans until last winter when I freshened up the drivetrain. Thought I'd try something new... I read on a Shovelhead forum that H-D reccomends using motor oil in 4-speeds, but I don't agree with that idea.
  14. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    The Formula plus oil is a 50W oil the 75 140 should be a better choice.

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